Editor,
The person who used to preside over Union Cabinet meetings in absence of Prime minister Indira Gandhi was unceremoniously shown the door promptly after her demise instead of elevating him to the Prime ministerial chair! He was made to miss the Prime ministerial bus in 2004 and 2009 as well. Yet through his efficient handling of high profile ministries coupled with immense personality, stature, knowledge, international recognition and acceptability it has been amply proved that Pranab Mukherjee was indeed the best Prime minister India never had!
As Indian President; far from acting as a ‘rubber stamp’ of the Union Government or dancing to it’s tune, Mukherjee had never hesitated to call a spade a spade and sternly advised the Union Government to resist the menace of intolerance and communalism. India was fortunate to have such an illustrious personality as a President.
Mukherjee must also be thanked for playing the role of conscience of the nation even after completion of his glorious innings in Rashtrapati Bhavan. The nation can never forget his enlightening speech regarding the idea of India right on the platform of the RSS in Nagpur. By standing erect right in the den of a unit believing in ”ONE LANGUAGE, ONE RELIGION, ONE PEOPLE”, Mukherjee had stressed on the importance of diversity equality and tolerance towards all beliefs and faith. Instead of denigrating the Muslim invaders as “aliens”, he had invoked Rabindranath Tagore’s epic poem ‘Bharat Tirtha’ to welcome the incoming flow to India and to be proud of our assimilated history.
Repeatedly he had pointed out that ensuring happiness and welfare of people should be the first priority of any ideal State. In a seminar in Rajasthan Assembly, Mukherjee had asked those in power and governance to respect even those who have not voted in favour of the ruling party or front.
If we really try to imbibe the thoughts as propagated by Mukherjee raising his voice against intolerance violence hatred and communalism, perhaps the society will learn to tolerate the cultural and religious diversities and make this country a peaceful one, thereby unifying it through the bond of humanity only.
Ending with a tweet posted by Mukherjee after receiving the Bharat Ratna — “The Bharat Ratna for me is also indeed an acknowledgement of the millions who strive everyday to make Bharat —- the diverse plural compassionate and inclusive idea that it is”. And of course he signed off as “Citizen Mukherjee”!
I bow my head to this man of impeccable humility and sense of responsibility towards the nation. In this dark age of intolerance and hatred, the message and values of Pranab Mukherjee will continue to serve as that rarest of rare beacon of light.
Yours etc.,
Kajal Chatterjee,
Via email
A President unmatched
Editor,
Late President Pranab Mukherjee visited Shillong on October 21, 2012. The 2-day visit to Meghalaya was his first as President of India. He landed amid the 36 hour shutdown called by the HNLC, during the tenure of Governor K. K. Paul and Chief Minister Mukul Sangma. The Class X students of St George School, Shillong and some selected teachers, escorted by the police witnessed the late President’s address to the August House of Meghalaya. St George School was in fact the only school to brave the bandh call. What astounded each and every one was his 45 minutes spontaneous address with all the facts and figures of Meghalaya and pre- Meghalaya’s budget allocation. The Georgians still remember his extremely sharp memory which is unmatched. May his soul rest in peace.
Yours etc.,
Simon Joseph,
Via email
Need to delve into pre-colonial history
Editor,
The write-up by HH Mohrmen, “The Jaintia Kings and their Stories,” (ST Aug 31, 2020) was a very enlightening piece for most of us who don’t delve into history but focus on the present without any reference to the past. It is a well known fact that the Jaintia people have a strong affinity with the plains people of Jaintiapur now in Bangladesh and with parts of Assam. Although the origin myths of the Pnars or Synteng or Jaintia people are clubbed with that of the Khasi people under the Hynniewtrep-Hynniewskum umbrella, there has to be more research into history and the Jaintia burunjis to find out more about the Jaintia people, their customary practices, belief systems and their connections with the people beyond the boundaries of the present Meghalaya. Geographical boundaries which categorise the national and international spaces, often tend to bury the stories of people who are appropriated by their new “nations” and citizenship statuses. The Jaintias and indeed many other tribes have existed much before the idea of India as a nation was born. The absence of a written script has all but buried our unique histories which have been superimposed by the history recorded by colonial rulers according to their interpretation.
What was most interesting was Mohrmen’s reference to the openness of the Jaintia people on account of their intrinsic interface with the plains people. This openness to other cultures is a virtue at a time when cultural chauvinism is raising its ugly head everywhere.
Yours etc.,
C Lyngwa,
Via email